Life-raft



(Model) 15'. S. ALLEN.

ATTORNEYS.

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NITED STATES PATENT 017M012.

LlFE RAFT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 240,634, dated April 26, 1881.

Application filed October 21, 1880. (ModeL) To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK S. ALLEN, of Guttyhunk Island, in the county of Dukes and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new Improved Life-Raft, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a new and improved life-raft, which is made of very few parts, can be folded and disconnected for storage, or built up for use very easily, and is so constructed that either side will serve as a top, which can be provided with railing, mast, and rowlocks, and with a floor raised a short distance above the water.

The invention consists in a life-raft formed of two like frames, which are attached to empty casks by means of clamps, and thus form a double raft supported by three casks. A series of guide-rods pass from one frame to the other and through asliding floor, which can be drawn to either frame by' means of ropes, thus permitting the raft to be thrown overboard without regard to its position, as the sliding floor is drawn to the upper frame as soon as the raft has been launched. Oars, masts, &c., are attached to the ends of the sliding floor. Bars or rods are pivoted to the ends of each of the frames, and are connected at their outer ends by ropes, thus forming railings when erected.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan View of my improved life-raft. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same, showing the sliding floor held between the two frames. Fig. 3 is across-sectional elevation of one of the main beams, and showing the clamps for holding the casks.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Two wooden frames, A A, which may be triangular, as shown, or of any other desired shape, are made of flat beams, B B B which are united at the angles by bolts or screws 0 C. One of the beams is to project beyond the others at each corner, asshown, and to these projecting ends of the frames A A the casks D D, or other closed vessels, are attached, the casks being held between the projecting ends of the frames. A plate, E, which is bent up at the ends to form the clips F F, is attached to theprojectingend of each beam, and a screwbolt, G, passes through perforations in these clips F F and through the flanges orv clips H H at the ends of the clamps J J, which hook over the edges of the heads of the casks D D. The casks are held in a like manner by clamps on the end of each beam, as shown. By means of the nut K the clamps may be drawn together, so as to hold the casks absolutely firmly.

The frames A and A are connected by the diagonal brace-rods Z Z, and by means of a number of vertical rods, L, which also pass through a lattice-work floor, N, held between'the frames A A. This floor can thus slide from one frame to the other, but is guided and held by the rods L L. Ropes O O are attached to the floor N, on the top and bottom, and pass through perforations in the frames A and A, and serve to draw the floor to either of these frames and then secure it. Oars P P, a mast and sail, Q, rowlocks, and other similar articles are tied to the ends of the sliding floor N. A series of posts or rods, M, are pivoted to the outer edge of each beam of each frame, and the outer swinging ends of the pivoted posts or rods are united by a rope or wire, R, which is also fastened to the top of the corresponding beam, so that when these posts or rods are raised they, in combination with the rope or wire R, will form a railing. Lifelines S S pass from one corner of the frame to the other, to enable persons in the water to get a good hold on the raft. A rope, T, for lowering or drawing the raft, is attached to a strong hook or band, V, at one end of the raft.

The casks may contain small quantities" of bread or sweet water.

Any desired number of casks may be used to support the raft-frames.

The raft is launched as follows: The raft is folded when not in use, or may even be taken apart. In case of danger, the parts are united, which is a simple operation, and the raft is then thrown overboard. The floorN is drawn up to the frame forming the top of the raft by means of the ropes 0 O, and is secured in this position by these ropes. The corresponding railing posts or rods M are then raised, the rowlo'cks are secured in the proper places, and the mast and sail are set. The raft is now ready to receive its occupants. As the two frames A A areaconsiderable distance apart,

the floor of the raft will be such a distance above the water that the persons on the raft will not be drenched continually, as on liferafts in use heretofore.

H ay'ingth us described my invention, Iclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patcut- 1. A life-raft consistii'ig of two frames and a sliding floor between the frames, the latter guided by rods connecting the frames, sub stantially as shown and described.

2. In a life-raft, the combination, with the frames A and A, of the casks or other closed vessels DD,and of the sliding floorN between the two frames, substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

beam B, of the plate E, having clips F F,

the clamps J, having clips H, the screw-bolt Gr, nut K, and cash or other closed vessel D, 25 substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

FREDERICK SLOCUM ALLEN.

Witnesses:

WM. A. WooDrIULL, JOHN LYNES. 

